Cambridge - A Level Courses

MPW Cambridge has been offering A level courses since it opened in 1987. Located next to the Cambridge Botanical Gardens and only 5 minutes walk from Cambridge’s most famous university colleges, MPW Cambridge is ideally situated to inspire. We provide a comprehensive suite of A level options with 30 different subjects offered over a range of different course durations and with no restrictions on combinations of subjects or course lengths.

Two-Year A Level Courses

MPW has a thriving sixth-form community.

We give extensive advice at interview on the wide variety of subject choices that we have available. Students meet with subject tutors and can attend taster sessions for subjects which interest them. We will then review subject choices again following the GCSE results and, where necessary, during the first few weeks of term.

Two-year course structure

A levels have been in the process of reform since September 2015. The key feature of the reforms is a “return to linearity” under which subjects will be examined after two years of study. The reforms will be staggered, with some subjects becoming linear in the Autumn of 2015, some in the Autumn of 2016 and the remainder in the Autumn of 2017.

In line with most schools in the independent sector, we are continuing with a 4/3 model for the majority of our students, i.e. students will study four subjects in their first year and pursue three into their second year. In addition, the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) will be offered as a voluntary add-on to all students engaged on two-year programmes.

These responses have been reached after extensive research by MPW into what universities are seeking from their applicants and direct consultation by telephone to the admissions offices of all the Russell Group universities. They also follow intensive discussion amongst our academic and pastoral staff about the best approach for our students. The 4/3 model will provide students with flexibility and breadth. Students will be able to make better choices about which subjects to complete to A level and the experience of a fourth subject will still carry significant weight on a university application.

The tradition at MPW has always been to design programmes of study around the individual needs of each student. Those who wish to study more or fewer subjects than our standard model will be provided for as they always have been in the past.

Extracurricular programme

More than any other student cohort at MPW, it is perhaps our two-year A level students who become most engaged with our extracurricular programme, where a host of sporting, cultural, club and academic extension activities are available on a voluntary basis. The friendships made in class and through our extracurricular programme are often the basis for the vibrant atmosphere that is so characteristic of MPW’s sixth-form community.